Trails Status
Closed
About the Park
Located in Yancey County 30 miles northeast of Asheville, Mount Mitchell State Park was the genesis of North Carolina's state parks system. At 6,684 feet, the mountain is the highest point east of the Mississippi River, and an observation deck provides breathtaking mountain views on a clear day. Easy trails at the summit explore the Fraser fir forest, while a vast network of challenging trails — including the Mountains-to-Sea State Trail — extend into adjacent wilderness areas and lead to backpacking opportunities within Pisgah National Forest.
Camping
- Tent sites (backpacking only)
- Firewood
The park also offers access and overnight parking for campers who are backpacking into the Pisgah National Forest. Please note that the backpacking sites are not within Mount Mitchell State Park property.
Activities
- Hiking (40 miles)
- Picnicking
Amenities
- Concession stand (seasonal)
- Restaurant (seasonal)
- Classroom (seasonal depending on programming)
- Lounge (seasonal)
- Picnic shelters
- Exhibits
Plan Your Visit
Address
2388 N.C. 128, Burnsville, NC 28714
GPS: 35.7528, -82.2737
Current weather
Note: The temperature at the top of Mount Mitchell is often several degrees colder than the town of Burnsville. The embedded RSS feed here shows the latest readings from the weather station at Mount Mitchell State Park.
For additional readings, including historical data, please visit the N.C. High Peaks Trail Association website.
Park Hours
|
Month |
Hours |
|---|---|
| January | 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. |
| February | 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. |
| March | 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. |
| April | 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. |
| May | 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. |
| June | 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. |
| July | 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. |
| August | 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. |
| September | 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. |
| October | 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. |
| November | 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. |
| December | 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. |
Note: Due to the high elevation, the park may have frequent and prolonged closures during the winter. The primary access to the park is the Blue Ridge Parkway, which is managed by the National Park Service, and they close sections of the parkway when the road is icy. The status of the park is updated regularly on this page; please check here prior to your visit if you are visiting during the winter months.
From November to March, open Mondays to Fridays, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
From April to October, open daily, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The gift shop is open daily from May to October, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Summit Concession Stand is open daily from May through October, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Mount Mitchell Restaurant is open daily with the following hours:
| May | 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. |
|---|---|
| June | 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. |
| July | 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. |
| August | 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. |
| September | 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. |
| October | 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. |